Overcoming Disability Through Sustainable Agriculture.
Shattered Dreams
Abednigo Moyo’s dreams were shattered when an accident left him wheelchair-bound. However, Moyo’s story is an inspiration to many. He encourages people with disabilities to seize opportunities and not to give up on their dreams.
Turned Upside Down
Moyo’s world turned upside down when he became a victim of a car accident. He had just completed his Diploma in Education with Science as his main subject and had enrolled for a Bed in Agriculture at Solusi University in 2017.
His Passion
Agriculture was his passion and he was determined to contribute to Zimbabwe’s vision for 2030. However, he was left with no choice but to find a way to earn money to pay for his daily medical expenses, which included physiotherapy, medication, and adult diapers. This is when he decided to rent land and start farming.
Countries Backbone
“Agriculture being a backbone of the country’s economy, I pursued it as I wanted to improve the Gross domestic products of our country and earn more money as my meager salary from work was nothing,” said Moyo. He added, “Unfortunately in that process I was a victim of a car accident which left me wheelchair-using, then I had to rent land and do farming as means of raising money to meet my daily medical expenses which includes physiotherapy, medication and adult diapers.”
Against the Odds
Despite being stigmatized and discriminated against due to his disability, Moyo persevered and focused on his passion for farming. One of the biggest challenges he faced was the shortage of cattle or goat manure, which is an essential input for organic farming. He also faced challenges with irrigation, which he currently does with a hosepipe, but is hoping to upgrade to drip irrigation soon.
Produce
Moyo focuses on producing spinach every season, tomatoes except in winter, maize in summer, and carrots in summer. He also plans to introduce poultry to his farm if he gets enough funding. Moyo employs someone to help him water, prune, and apply manure on his farm.
Challenges
Despite the challenges he faces, Moyo is passionate about smart sustainable agriculture practices and organic farming. Through social media, he has managed to advertise his products and make sales within a short period of time.
Discourage Charity Model
He also calls on society to embrace the Right-Based Approach and empowerment model, and discourage the charity model of disability. Moyo has applied for his own land through the Ministry of Lands and is looking forward to expanding his farming activities to include livestock production. He hopes to contribute towards Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and, ultimately, the country’s economic development.
Disability is Not an Inability
In light of his situation as a disabled person, Moyo said, “Disabled people should understand that disability is not inability, they should look for opportunities and grab them, currently there are loans offered by social welfare, they should try all that, never look down upon themselves cherish the Right based Approach and empowerment model. Those without disabilities teach us how to catch the fish, don’t give us the fish, let’s minimize the charity model of disability.”
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